Indicatob



May 26, 1931. G. c. FAIRBAIRN INDICATOR Filed Nov. 15, 1927 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Suveulioz C- J MJMM May 26, 1931. e. c. FAIRBAIRNINDICATOR Filed NOV. 15, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllLI Swuemtoz w MW fim/MAW y 26, 1931- G. c. FAIRBAIRN 1,806,750

INDICATOR Filed Nov. 15, 1927 5 Sheets-Shet a y 1931. I G. c. FAIRBAIRN1,806,750

INDICATOR Filed. Nbv. 15, 1927 5 Sheets-$heet 4 avwe/ntoz INDICATORFiled NOV. 15, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gvweutoz Patented May 26, 1

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE C. FAIRBAIRN, OF FORT ARTHUR, TEXASASSIGNOR TO THE TEXAS COMPANY, OF -NEW YORK, N. Y., A.CORPOBATION OFDELAWARE INDICATOR Application filed November 15, 1927.' Serial No.233,370.

This invention relates primarily to indicating mechanism andparticularly to that type in which a signal or warning is givenperiodically to an attendant in charge of certain apparatus to notifyhimof the need for carrying out some definite operation. The specialpurpose contemplated by the present invention is for the giving of anautomatic signal either visible or audible to designate the time'forWithdrawal of tar or other residue from eachof a series of batteries ofpressure stills.

It iscommonly the practice to employ a single tar stripping unit inconnection with a group of batteries of stills ordinarily rangingbetween six and twelve batteries, each of which may consist of one ormore stills. Usually it is necessary to draw oil ,the tar or otherresidue from the bottom of the stills of each battery at periodicintervals of from fifteen to twenty-five minutes. The withdrawal usuallytakes place under still pressure, although it may be below this pressurey if desired and theresidue is discharged into an expansion chamberWhere the pressure is substantially released and additional vapors aredriven off. Heretofore, there has been no eifort made to regulate theperiods for withdrawal of residue or to avoid the simultaneouswithdrawal from a plurality of batteries. This has frequently led to acondition in which the tar stripping'unit is overloaded by receiving theresidue from several batteries at one time. An objectionable feature ofthis overloading of the tar stripping unit is that its efiiciencyisgreatly reduced by the increased pressure which is thus brough about.For most eflicient operation, the unitshould maintain a substantiallyuniform pressure which is'very little above atmospheric. For the purposeof the present. invention, it will not be necessary to enter into adetailed description of the operation of the stripping'unit since it isimportant only to understand its relation to the batteries of stills andthe necessity or advantage of operating it underv'uniform conditions.

It is contemplated, by the presentv invention, to bring about thedesired result by the" use of a special novel form of indicator whichwill operate automatically to designate when each battery shoulddischarge tar into the stripping unit. One of the problems encounteredin this connection arises from the fact that the number of batteries ofstills in operation, and all of which discharge into the same tarstripping unit, may vary from time to time. For example, wheretwelvebatteries are connected to the same unit, all twelve may be inoperation at one time, while at other times one or more of the batteriesmay be out of operation due to the necessity for cleaning and repairingthem.

In order to insure uniform conditions in the vention to provide a simpleand effective.

means for varying the number of equal periods into which a given timeinterval may. be divided, While the present invention is hereindisclosed in connection with its application to a spe'cific problem, itwill be understood that it has a wide range ofv utility and that thepresent disclosure is of anvillustrative embodiment only.

One' form of the invention will now be described in detail, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus as a whole.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a panel carrying a series of contact devicesfor controlling the operation of the" signals.

from the contacts on the panel of Figure 2 to a series of jacks.-

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram of connections from the panel and jackstothe several signalling devices.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing a modification.

Figure 8 showsdiagrammatically the arrangement of a series of batteriesQf'StlllS, a

common stripping unit and the individual indicators.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a cabinet 1, which houses themain operative portions of the automatic timing device. The uppersection of this cabinet is provided at its front with a panel board 2,carrying a series of jacks 3, somewhat after the fashion of a telephoneswitchboard. In an encased lower portion of the supporting structure,there is provided a series of electrical connectors 4, each having atits upper end a plug 5 adapted to be inserted in any one of the jacks 3.A cable 6, leading from the lowerportion of the casing at any suitablepoint, carries a separate electrical connection from each one of theconnectors 4. The cable 6 may be led to any suitable point where theremay be located a large indicating device 7 having any desired number ofseparate compartments, twelve being shown. Each of the separateconductors in the cable 6 is connected to a different one of thecompartments of the indicator 7 and serves to control acorrespondingindicator in its related compartment. Any suitable form of indicator maybe employed, but it preferably consists of an electric light whichserves to make visible a large opaque numeral-which is normallymoncealedbehind a plate of frosted glass or other suitable translucent material.The indicator 7 will preferably be located at a point where it will bevisible from any one of the batteries whose operation it is intended tocontrol. Preferably there will also be provided in addition to the largeindicator 7 a number of individual indicatorsS of similar construction,one for each battery of stills, A, B, C, etc. (Figure 8), these beinglocated at any suitable point near each battery. Each of these secondmentioned of auxiliary indicators will be connected in series orparallel with one of the compartments or sections of the indicator 7, sothat each time one of the latter is illuminated, the correspondingauxiliary indicator will also be operated.

Figure 6 discloses diagrammatically the second or auxiliary set oflndicators 8', which are connected by conductors 9 to the severalsections of indicator 7. To complete the circuit, a connection 10 runsfrom each of the auxiliary indicators to the control unit in the casing1, and a suitable source of current. Returning now to the panel 2, itwill be noted that the jacks 3 are arranged in a number of rows, theuppermost of which contains twelve jacks. The second row from the topcontains eleven jacks; the next ten, etc., each number of rows could beincreased or decreased, and the number of jacks in each row might varyfrom that shown, but the arrangement disclosed hasbeen found verysatisfactory. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit of the use ofany number of the batteries of stills without destroying the uniformityin the operating conditions of the connected tar stripping unit. Thus,when all twelve batteries are in operation, the plugs 5 will be insertedin the upper row of jacks 3, so that all twelve of the connectors 1 willcarry the circuit from this upper row of jacks to the twelve sections ofthe indicator 7.

Now if one of the batteries should be taken out of operation for thepurpose of cleaning or repairing it, the plugs 5 would be inserted inthe second row of jacks 3, omitting the plug 5 which is related to theindicator designating the particular battery out of operation.Similarly, if only six of the batteries are in operation, thecorresponding plugs 5 would be inserted into the jacks 3 of thelowermost row. It will rarely be the case that less than six of thebatteries will be in operation at one time. but if this should happen tobe a frequent occurence, the number of rows of acks could be increasedcorrespondingly.

The mechanism whereby the circuits through the several series of jackswill be completed at periodic equal intervals of time for the purpose ofsuccessively operating the indicators 7 and 8 at uniform intervals, willnow be described. Referring toFigures 2, 3 and 4, particularly, it willbe noted that a panel 11 has secured thereto a series of contactelements 12 and 13, which are normally separated but are adapted to bebrought together in the manner of closing a switch at their overlappingends 14. If desired, platinum contact points may be provided on theelements 12 and 13. A plunger or button15 secured at the point 14 toeach contact element 12, passes through the panel 11 to the oppositeside and extends into the path of an arm 16. This arm is secured to ashaft 17 Which also passes through the panel 11 and is connected in anysuitable way, by reduction gearing,to a driving means such as asynchronous motor 18 which serves as a timing device. The connectionbetween these members is such that the arm 16 will make one completerevolution in a definite interval of time, which, in the present case,may most suitably be a period of twenty minutes. That side of the arm 16which faces the panel 11, is preferably provided with a bevelled edge soas to readily cam the plungers or buttons 15 into the panel as the armsweeps over these buttons, and if desired the upper ends of the buttonsmay either be bevelled or rounded. The arrangement of the elements 12and 13 is such that those buttons 15 which areefi'ective at anyparticular time, will be arranged at equal intervals about thecircumference of the circle which they form. Thus, starting at the point20 of Figure 4, there will be located a series of twelve buttons 15 at30 intervals, and these, by the connections shown diagrammatically inFigure 5, will be connected to the twelve jacks forming the upper.

row. Similarly starting from the point 20, there will be ten additionalbuttons 15 arranged at equal intervals so that-the entire circumferencewill be divided into eleven equal parts. These buttons will then besuitably connected to the second row of jacks 3, as indicated in thediagram of Figure 5. Actually the connection is between the jacks andthe contact elements 12 rather than the buttons themselves but theexplanation is simplified by referring to the buttons.

Another series of buttons 15 will similarly be provided to divide thecircle formed by the buttons into ten equal parts, starting from thepoint 20, and these in turn, will be con- I nected (as shown in Figure5) to the third row of jacks 3. In thesame way for each row.of'-jacksthere will be a corresponding set of buttons 15 spaced at equalintervals fromthe starting point'20.

It will be apparent that some of the buttons 15 under the arrangementdescribed, will serve as a division point for several of the series ofjacks. For example, the point 20 is common to all of the series and forthis reason must be connected to the first jack of each of the rows.Similarly the button 21 will be common to both the twelve and the sixseries of j acks, while the button 22 will be common t6 the twelve, ten,eight and six series.- In each of these cases, therefore, thecorresponding jacks in the panel 2 will be interconnected and only asingle connection will be necessary from one of these jacks to thecommon button 15. Other buttons common to several series will beapparent from Figure 5. In the diagram of this figure, the numberswithin the circle formed by the contact points, designate the group ofjacks to which the adjacent contact points are connected the upper groupof jacks being known as the twelve group, and the lowermost being knownas the six group, while those in between are'desi'gnated in accordancewith the number of jacks in the row.

-- From the foregoing, it will be apparent that as the arm 16 moves at auniform rate over the buttons 15, it will tend to complete the circuit'to the jacks of each series or row cyclicly and at equal intervals. Forexample, the jacks of the upper r'owwill be successivelyrendered-eflect1ve at intervals pf a little more than one and one-halfminutes,

while the jacks of the third row from the top will be successivelyrendered effective at intervals of two minutes and the lowermost seriesof jacks will be successively rendered effective at intervals ofsomething more than three minutes. 1

In Figure 6, there is shown a suitable arrangement of circuits for theentire signalling system when the upper-set of twelve jacks is employed.Alternating current from number of batteries in operation. ample, ifnine of the twelve stills are operata suitable source, such asdesignated25 in this figure, may be adapted to operate a constant speed motor suchas the synchronous motor 18 which servesto drive the arm 16 at a uniformrate. One terminal of the source of current may also be connected to theinner series of contact elements 13, all of which are elec-' t'ricallyinterconnected by means of a conductor 27, as best shown in Figure 2.For simplicity of illustration, in the' diagram- (Figure 6) thisconnection from the source of current has been shown as running to thepivot of the arm 16 which may then be assumed to be formed of someelectrical conductor adapted to complete the circuit through the buttons15 as it passes over them. This form may be adopted as an alternative inthe actual construction, if so desired. In the normal position of theparts, as shown, a circuit will be complete throu h the button 20 whichis connected to t e first jack in the upper row, which, in turn,

10 may serve to complete the circuit to the opposite terminal of thesource of current,

25.- A similar train of electrical connections will be combined tocomplete a circuit through one of the sections ofthe indicator 7, andone of the auxiliary signals at a related battery each time the arm 16passes over one of the contacts .15 of the group of twelve that arespaced at 30 intervals. It will be apparent that solong as the plugs 5of the connectors 4 are inserted into the upper series of jacks, thepassage 'of the arm 16 over intermediate buttons 15 between those spacedat 30 intervals, will have no effect. Electrical connections will becompleted only up to the jacks of other rows under such conditions andwill not be carried beyond to form a complete circuit.

In connection wit the foregoing description. it has been found advisableto explain the mode of operation of the parts in fair de-- tail so thatit will not be necessaryto enter into a detailed description bf theoperation of the device as a whole but a very brief sum mary may begiven as follows:

First of all, he. plugs 5 related to the particular batteries of stillswhich are in operation, will be inserted in the jacks 3 of the rowhaving a number corresponding to the For ex ing at a particular timewith #2, 6, and 8,

out of operation, the plugs-related to batteries 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10,11, and 12, will be 111-.

serted in the nine jacks of the fourth row from thetop of the panel 2. Asuitable switch in the circuit from the source of current will then beclosed and will start the operation of the synchronous motor 18 to causethe arm 16 to be rotated at a uniform rate of-say one revolution intwenty minutes. As the arm passes over the buttons 15 of the serieswhich are spaced at 40 intervals, circuits will be completedsuccessively through the nine sections of'the indicator 7 related to theplugs inserted, as well as through the nine auxiliary indicators locatedat the batteries themselves. In other Words, under the conditionsassumed, a different pair of signals will come into operation atsuccessive time intervals of slightly over two minutes, and as soon asthe signal at a particular battery is operated, the party in charge ofthe drawing off of tar from this battery will know that he should openthe necessary valves to discharge the tar into the tar stripper. As soonas the desired amount has been drawn off, the valves will be closed andthe system will await the operation of the next signal in order. .Bymeans of the main indicator 7, the attendant at any of the batteries-may determine at any time how much longer he must wait for the nextdrawing oif period. It will be apparent that either the main indicatoror the group of aux iliary indicators alone would be sufficient toprovide a satisfactory signal system, but both are preferred forcomplete information.

If it should be desired to indicate at the several batteries aparticular allotment of time during which each battery is entitled towithdraw the tar bottoms, the arm 16 may assume the form of a sector161, as shown in Figure 7, which preferably has an are slightly lessthan the angular distance between the buttons 15 of the twelve series.In other words, this sector should be slightly under 30 so thatoperation of only one pair of signals at a given time will be assured.By the use of this construction, each pair of signals will remain inoperation for a maximum period and will not be rendered ineffectiveuntil just prior to the operation of the next pair of signals in order.The sector might be of greater are than 30 if desired, in order to givean indication of the duration of each period when one of the lower rowsof jacks is employed. In this event,

the period during which withdrawal of tar should take place may bemeasured by the time between the beginning of the operation of onesection of indicator 7 and the operation of the next section. It willalways be clear which of two sections of the indicator, that may besimultaneouslyoperative, will designate the active battery, this7'beingalways the later one in the cycle. I If the withdrawal of residue fromeach battery should requiremore than the allotted interval'oftime, theperiods of withdrawal may be made to overlap and if desired, the sector161 may be of sufficient size to maintain the signal at each battery fora definite period of, say, three minutes, during which residue may bewithdrawn. In actual operation, it may be found preferable to permiteach battery to withdraw the tar bottoms in accordance with therequirelnents of the battery itself so long as the operation is begun atthe proper time, but Where it is feasible to do so, the use of thesector for arm 16 will tend to produce even greater uniformity in theoperation of the tar stripping unit. Furthermore, with this form ofcontact member, the main indicator 7 will be substantially in continuousoperation to designate the battery which is active in the cycle of tardrawing operations.

While one admirable form of the invention has been disclosed in detailin the fore going sections, it will be understood that manymodifications may be made within the contemplation of the invention, asdefined by the terms of the claims which follow. It has been mentionedthat the motor 18 and connected gearing is preferably such as to givethe arm 16 one revolution in 20 minutes. Obviously this speed may .bemade to suit any particular requirements and if desired provisions maybe made for varying the speed at will within a reasonable range.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, a uniformly movable element, aseries of contacts forming parts of electrical circuits and adapted tobe controlled by said element to successively complete said circuits, aplurality of indicators, and means for placing any selected number ofsaid indicators in said circuits so as to cause their successiveoperation at equal intervals of time, said means comprising a pluralityof rows of jacks in said contact circuits, each of said rows having adifferent number of said jacks correspondin with the variable number ofindicators to he operated and any row being rendered selectivelyeffective.

2. In a device of the class described, a plurality of indicators, aseries of contact devices, means for successively operating said contactdevices in a continuous cycle, a plurality of rows of jacks, each rowhaving a difierent number of jacks, connections from each jack of a rowto one of said contact devices, said devices related to a row of jacksbeing operated at equal time intervals, and means for connecting anydesired number of said indicators to the row having a cor respondingnumber of jacks.

3. In a device of the class described, a series of electrical contactsarranged in a circle, a

continuously and uniformly rotatable arm 00- necting any selected numberof said indica-- tors to contacts equally spaced about said l circle,said means comprising a plurality of 'rows of jacks, each row beingseparately effective and adapted for the selection of a dif-.

ferent number of indicators.

4. In a device of the class described, a series of electrical contactsarranged in a circle, a plurality of rows of jacks each row having adifferent number of jacks, connections from 10 the jacks of each row toa separate series of contacts equally spaced about said circle, aplurality of indicators, means for connecting any number of saidindicators to the jacks of. a row of corresponding number of jacks and a15 uniformly rotatable arm adapted to successively render said contactsefiective. V

5. In a device of the class described, a series of electrical contactsarranged in a circle, a,

plurality of horizontal rows of jacks each 20 row having a diflerentnumber of jacks, connections from the jacks of each row to contactsequally spaced about said circle, some of said jacks of diflerent rowsbeing connected to the same contact, a plurality of indi- 2 cators,means for connecting any number ofv said indicators to the jacks of arow of correspon'djngnumber of jacks, and auniformly rotatablevarmadapted to successively render i said contacts effective.

6. In a device of the class described a ph rality of electricalindicators, a plurality of contact elements, a constantly and uniformlymovable member co-operating with said con-- tacts to successively:provide electrical con- 35 neotions therethrough, a plurality ofelectrical connection-forming devices arranged in groups, the devices ofeach group being connectedrespectively with a separate corresponding'series of 'equally spaced contact ele- 4 ments, afid means constantlyin circuit with said indicators adapted to be connected with any oneselected groiip of said devices to predetermine the operation of saidindicators.

' 7, In a device .of the class described 'a'pluralityof'electrical'indicators, a plurality of 7 contact elements, 'aconstantly and uniformly movable member co-operating with said con-ftacts to. successively provide'electricalconnecg V tions therethrou'gh,a plurality of electricalconnection-forming devices arranged in groups,each group havin a difi'erent number of said devices and e devices ofeach. group" being connected respectively with a separate corresponding.series of equally e spaced contact elements, and means'constantly incircuit with said indicators ada ted to connect a desirednumber of saidin icators' to a selected oup having a corresponding v number-ofdevices; V v

' A In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd da ofNov.,1927. V j

' GE RGE C. FAIRBAIRN.

